LET'S TALK AGING: Thinking ahead for memory care

Thursday

Mar 30, 2017 at 12:01 AMMar 30, 2017 at 12:38 PM

Alicia Seaver

Dementia covers a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other cognitive skills that interfere with a person’s everyday activities. Noticing it early on can make a significant difference in both the short-term and the long-run.

Benefits of early detection

Recognizing the difference between normal, age-related changes in cognitive skills and dementia-related changes is important for a number of reasons. For starters, a diagnosis sometimes points to dementia-like symptoms that stem from reversible conditions. Those conditions include depression, medication side effects, excessive alcohol use, thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies.

Even when a dementia diagnosis points to a non-reversible condition, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s or vascular dementia, there are still benefits to an early diagnosis. Treatment can improve symptoms and even slow the progression of the disease, helping to keep the person diagnosed functional for longer, particularly with early diagnosis.

Additionally, if a medical evaluation turns up high blood pressure, high cholesterol or uncontrolled diabetes, a healthcare provider can devise a treatment plan to reduce the impact of those conditions—left unattended, they can accelerate diseases like Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.

An early diagnosis can also help people with dementia and their families prepare for challenges they’ll face as symptoms progress. Support groups provide an opportunity to interact with others who are facing similar challenges can reduce the stress of facing them alone.

An early diagnosis also enables people to participate in their own legal, financial and long-term care planning. Letting family members know their wishes can reduce the stress for everyone and make the present a much more enjoyable place to live.

Warning signs

Everyone forgets an appointment now and then, but when it becomes the norm or isn’t remembered later, it’s important to take note. This also holds true when planning and coordinating a daily routine becomes an issue, and when basic problem-solving skills seem to be dwindling. Memory loss that regularly disrupts daily life merits a visit to the doctor.

Dementia can also cause a person to increasingly feel confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. The feelings can cause someone to withdraw from social interactions—another symptom to notice.

Slowing the progress

While there’s no cure for dementia yet, there are initiatives people can take to reduce their risk for dementia, or to slow the progress of their symptoms if they’ve already been diagnosed.

Exercise leads the list. As little as 20 minutes a day of walking is associated with improved cognitive function—the brisker the better, but a stroll still beats sitting.

A healthy diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains can boost the brain’s ability to fight off damaging chemicals. More specifically, studies show that a diet containing high quantities of leafy vegetables like spinach and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli can slow the rate of cognitive decline. The Mediterranean diet has also been associated with a lower risk of various age-related diseases including dementia. Learn more about the diet here.

Brain games not only increase the connection and response between brain cells, they can also slightly increase the number of cells. Crossword puzzles, Sodoku and other games that work memory and logic are great options, and you can find great online brain games on AARP.org, Luminosity and many others.

Bottom line: Early detection of dementia is beneficial for you, your loved one and the rest of your family.

Catch me at the South Shore Alzheimer’s Partnership’s 12th annual Educational Conference and Caregiver Day event at Oak Point Middleboro on April 26, where I’ll lead a discussion on stress reduction for caregivers at 10 a.m. Admission is free for caregivers! More information here.

Alicia Seaver is certified by the National Institute on Aging as a Memory Impairment Specialist. A senior care professional for 20 years, she is director of memory care for Bridges by EPOCH, which has assisted living facilities in Hingham, Westwood, Pembroke and five other communities in New England. She can be reached at aseaver@epochsl.com..